phosphor

¹

[ fos-fer, -fawr ]

noun

1. any of a number of substances that exhibit luminescence when struck by light of certain wavelengths, as by ultraviolet.
2. Literary. a phosphorescent substance.

adjective

1. Archaic. phosphorescent.

Phosphor

²

[ fos-fer, -fawr ]

noun

1. the morning star, especially Venus.

phosphor-

³

1. variant of phosphoro- before a vowel:

   phosphorate.

phosphor

/ ˈfɒsfə /

noun

1. a substance, such as the coating on a cathode-ray tube, capable of emitting light when irradiated with particles or electromagnetic radiation

phosphor

/ fŏs′fər /

1. Any of various substances that can emit light after absorbing some form of radiation. Television screens and fluorescent lamp tubes are coated on the inside with phosphors.
2. See Note at cathode-ray tube

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphor¹

1625–35; < French phosphore < Latin Phōsphorus Phosphor

Origin of phosphor²

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin Phōsphorus, from Greek Phōsphóros “the morning star,” literally, “the light-bringing one,” equivalent to phôs “light” + -phoros “bringing”; -phorous

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphor¹

C17: from French, ultimately from Greek phōsphoros phosphorus

Example Sentences

How, at so late an hour, this had been effected, I knew no more than where my horse Phosphor came from.

From Project Gutenberg

Phosphoresc′ent, shining in the dark like phosphorus; Phosphor′ic, Phos′phorous, pertaining to or obtained from phosphorus.

From Project Gutenberg

A wheezing chuckle answered him, and a phosphor bulb glowed weakly, shedding some light on a filthy hall.

From Project Gutenberg

At the front of each building, a dim phosphor bulb glowed; when darkness fell, they would have nothing else to see by.

From Project Gutenberg

Pelton wheel made of a solid steel disk with phosphor bronze buckets riveted to the rim.

From Project Gutenberg